Happy International Women’s Day.
By this title, you may be thinking ‘what’s this blog post aiming at?’. It’s came to my attention lately just how many girls and women go through a time of their life, with little to no period protection. Therefore, on a day like today, International Women’s Day, I want us to come together to help an issue that us, as a woman, would have an insight into what life may be like if you couldn’t afford period protection.
I am able to afford period protection and sometimes I feel like I don’t understand how grateful I should be for that. When thinking about a life without period protection, I realised that I wouldn’t be able to go to work, I wouldn’t be able to go get food from the supermarket, I wouldn’t be able to see friends. My life would be on hold until the period was over. To think about the ease I have in life when I’m on my period because I am able to buy a pad or tampon, really opens my mind and eyes into what it would be like without it.
Like I said, on a day like today, I want to try and reach out to some of you, to help make a difference. There are people out there who can’t afford period protection and so, we can do something about that, something to help. 1 in 10 can’t afford period protection, and that is a MASSIVE issue. I know we can’t sit here and change the world because quite frankly, only the Government can do that by making period products free…but until that day happens (I pray that it does), we need to help out.
I have googled to find somewhere that we can donate to.
https://www.heygirls.co.uk is where we can donate. What I like about this website is that they have options of what you can buy. Also, their idea and meaning behind helping period poverty is a really great one. You buy, they give. So, every box you buy, they give a box to someone who needs it.
Something that is INCREDIBLE with heygirls is the reusable products. I didn’t even know that reusable products were a thing?!?!?! But, how incredible is that. They are plastic free and environmentally friendly. This is a company and idea in life that I feel so proud of. I’m proud that these things exist and people are creating these products to help period poverty. To be more environmentally friendly. To make a change to the world and help those who need it. Reusable period pads is a fantastic route to take, and I’m in a way, upset that I only just found out that these were a thing.
Along with being able to buy products for yourself and them then giving products to those in need, you can also donate money monthly or donate products. You can choose between pads and cups to donate. Therefore, if you don’t feel comfortable with buying products from the website or simply prefer the products you currently use from a supermarket, you can still HELP!! Donating something as small as £3.25 a month will truly make a difference, if you’re able to do so, then please think about how much this can help women out there.
As much as I moan about my period and as much as it sucks and I hate it, I’ve never really viewed it from the mindset of ‘thank god I have protection’. Period’s are bad enough as it is, but without protection, it must be a week from hell. I’m sure some of us have sometimes had mishaps, either we didn’t know we were due on or a random bleed. If that has happened to you before, think about how you felt when you went to the toilet and realised you’re bleeding with no protection. I most likely assume you then go grab a pad and you’re sorted again for the rest of the day. Not everyone has that. That is the reality for 1 in 10 people. Not being able to just put protection in their knickers, having to face life without it. Awful thought right?
Let’s do something about this. Let’s make a difference. Let’s help even one person out there who needs it. Please, if you have some spare cash, support the women who need the help, especially for something they physically can’t stop or control.
Happy International Women’s Day.
The Positive G 